“Isn’t that the truth,” I utter under my breath.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
But she must have heard me. “I’m not from around here, remember?”
“That doesn’t need repeating. Same goes for stuffing our mouths full of meat. No more delays.” I gesture outside with a sweep of my arm. The motion sensor kicks on, creating an open path for us. “Ladies first.”
Audria takes the lead with extra sway in her step. Keeping my eyes off her ass is a challenge. “Is the restaurant far? I walked here.”
“Nah, just a few blocks.” I point to the general location off Main Street.
She slips on a pair of sunglasses as we leave the awning’s shade. “I can handle that.”
“You’ll discover everything is real close around these parts.”
“Yeah, the house I’m renting is about two miles that way.” She hitches her thumb toward Oak Lane.
I let loose a whistle. “Nice neighborhood.”
“It’s super cute and conveniently located.” She inhales and licks her lips. “Oh, my yum. Something smells really good.”
The telltale smokey aroma gets stronger as we cross onto Pine Lane. Saliva pools in my mouth, and I’m tempted to wipe away any signs of drool. “You’re in for a treat.”
“I have no clue where you’re taking me, but I already feel the need to thank you.”
“It only gets better. Guaranteed,” I vow. “The Grill Pit, or just the Pit if you want to blend with the locals, is one of the town’s prized staples. Only slightly outranked by our Prairie Myers connection.”
“You have my expectations set pretty damn high.”
“And they’ll still be blown to smithereens.”
A neon sign blinks B-B-Q in bold letters, marking our arrival. As if the overwhelming scent of savory pork isn’t enough. I stride past the entrance but slow my pace when her footsteps falter.
Audria pauses by the front door. “Aren’t we going in?”
“Wild horses couldn’t stop me. They set up a tent round back during the warm months. It has better seating and ambiance.” I motion her toward the alley.
“Fancy,” she coos.
With my palm notched in the dip at her spine, I guide us under the striped canvas suitable for a circus. A mix of picnic benches and long tables monopolizes the area. About half the seats are occupied with satisfied customers. I would consider this a slow afternoon by the Pit’s standards, but the hum of energy is high enough to raise the roof.
Audria’s gaze ping-pongs from floor to ceiling. “Looks like an outdoor festival.”
“We have those, too, mostly in July.”
“More for me to anticipate.”
I nod to an available corner near the middle of the pack. There’s no chance we’ll stay hidden, not that I want us to. Not like it would be any good at this point regardless. “Hope you aren’t a huge fan of personal space during meals. Family seating is popular in these parts.”
“I like being cozy and friendly.”
“Then you’ll fit right in.”
“That has a nice ring to it.” She winks at me.
When she heads toward an empty spot, I steer her to the food line. “We serve ourselves. It’s somewhat of a buffet style. You buy a plate and fill it up. They weigh it at the register. It’s as easy as that.”
Her eyes glaze over in a familiar way. “All I can eat?”
“Absolutely.”
“Sacred haven, indeed. I love meat.” She groans.
My jeans tighten with a bulge of discomfort. I would give just about anything to adjust myself without being obvious. Widening my stance is the best alternative I’ll get. “Then I definitely picked the right place.”
“Couldn’t have chosen better myself. You might end up being my soulmate, farmer.”
Rather than step in that sticky trap, I pivot to safer ground. “Do you need a bib?”
She swivels her head to pin me with a glare. “As in, for a baby?”
I snatch a plastic one off the stack and hold it up. “To cover your white shirt.”
She glances down at her outfit. “Pretty sure I can manage to stay clean.”
“Suit yourself.” Regardless, I shove a pair of bibs and several towelettes into my pocket.
I watch in awe as Audria piles ribs on top of brisket, pulled pork, and roasted chicken. She takes generous portions of each option, humming a sweet sound with every scoop. My dick appreciates the sensual, teasing noise. I tug at the collar of my tee, trying to block out the temptation. All I can see is this woman slathered in—
“Are you okay?” Her sugary voice isn’t the distraction I need.
But I chase off the vision with a grunt. “Right as rain.”
“Then why is your plate still empty?”
I glance down at the evidence of my wishful thinking. “Just choosing carefully.”
Her potent laugh could stop traffic. “What’s to decide? Take it all.”
There’s no arguing with that logic, and I follow her example. “I had no idea you were this hungry. We could’ve skipped all the idle chitchat.”
“Then I wouldn’t have been able to adequately judge your character.”
“The results must be decent if you’re still standing beside me.”
“You’d have to be pretty bad for me to refuse barbecue.”
“I’ll eat, and drink, to that.” I wave off her attempt at paying, handing over enough cash to cover beers plus a generous tip. The Pit is bringing me better fortune than usual.
Audria doesn’t hesitate once we sit down. She digs in with both hands, and I gladly follow suit. Blends of spice and rich flavors coat my tongue as I devour a half-rack. Silent contentment fills the space between us. She’s not a shy eater, and that’s a huge turn on—especially when she nibbles scraps from the bone, sucks off specks of sauce, and licks her fingers clean.
She pauses, a forkful of chicken poised at her lips. “So, where do you live? Nearby?”
I swallow my bite, drowning the remains with a swig of Coors. “Not walking distance, unfortunately. If I ever buy my own place, maybe it’ll be closer to town. I stay in the bunkhouse on my boss’s property. It makes the five o’clock alarm easier to handle.”
She stops chewing. “As in that’s when you wake up in the morning?”
“You get used to it.”
Audria cringes. “I would never. Eight o’clock classes in college were hard enough.”
“But I’m done working by one or two. The rest of the day is mine.”
Her nose wrinkles farther. “That’s still a no-go for me. I hit snooze enough as it is.”
The thought of seeing her before dawn, tending to the fields, sparks an arousing visual—all drowsy and warm from the comforts of her blankets. With a jerk of my head, I extinguish those flares before any can catch fire.
A breezy sigh eases out of her, saving me from filling the silence. “Damn, Reeve. I could get used to this.”
I guzzle a mouthful of the cheap beer, chuckling at the sight of Audria next to me. “You’ve got a little something on your face.”
“No doubt I’m a mess.” She rubs at her mouth and jaw, getting most of the stain.